CAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2265, 29 July 1897, Page 29

CAKE COUNTY.

July 24.— A great deal might be said on the I score of the weather, for we have had all sorts — , from warm to frosty, from wet to fine, and from . stormy to calm, including thunder ; nothing, in I fact, was left out in this line that weather can provide, and the indications are still such that anything may be expected, not even leaving out floods. There is a large quantity of snow in a state of jelly lying at low levels which, should a . warm rain set in, would become liquid to running point in a very short time, swelling the river bank high in a few hour?. This state of things was the cause of the Old Man floods in 1863, and without going so far as to predict a repetition this , year, the dredgers and others interested in the water level of the Molyneux may as well be prepared for a rise and keep their weather-eyes ' open. i Obituary.— Deaths amongst those advanced in ! years have been pretty frequent of late, and during last week two more of the old residents have gone to their long home Mr Angus M'Kinnon, native of Scotland, and 74 yews of age at the . time of his death, was amongst the first to try farming in this district, when to all intents and purposes the attempt was still an experiment. He took up land at Miller's Flat, and resided upon it till the time when death overtook him rather suddenly on Monday afternoon last. MrM'Kipnon led a quiet and retired life, but was highly respected for his integrity and manly character. Mr M'Kiunon leaves a family all settled in life, his wife having preceded him some years since to the bourne whence no traveller returns. A large • number of friends followed the remains ', to their last resting place on Wednesday last. Rev. Mr Blair conducted the obsfequies of the Presbyterian Church at the grave. Another death which occurred at Queenstown was that of I Mr W. J. Pos?«lL which was also a tudden

occurrence. Mr Powell, who was 76 years of ago at the time of his death, had some months ago a stroke of paralysis, from which he rej covered, and, though troubled with heart disease, ' he was of late in a fair slate of health. He went to bed on Monday last about half-past 9, when, complaining of a choking sensation, he expired almost immediately. Mr Powell in the early days of Lake County was engineer and road inspector for many years, since when he has been a contractor and resided at Qu-eenstown. Deceased, who leaves a family of sons and daughter?, was also preceded on the last journey by his wife some yea-s ago. More Weather —News from the northern portions of this district state that on Monday last there was a very heavy snowi-torm, the fall being estimated to be in some places 18in deep without being drifted. At Queenstown snow to the depth of 9iu fell, while south of the Shotover there was scarcely any at all. What enow mi aws upon roads of a steep grade was shown bj wn accident that befell the coach running between Queenstowu and Arrowtown. When coining down the Shotover hill the leader, through his feet balling, fell, and from the same cause the shifters were unable to prevent the coach from sliding in the snow, so that horses and coach, mixed all of a heap, slipped down the hill until the coach turned over on its side. The driv< r, Mr J. Hatton, who was alone, lost no time in freeing the horses, which got off with a few scratches, whilst the coach sustained some damage. To-day at, noon the thermometer touched SOdeg I'ahr. in the sun. with the snow I lying several inches deep at our doors.